Build-A-Bear Workshop (NYSE:BBW) Downgraded to “Hold” Rating by StockNews.com

StockNews.com cut shares of Build-A-Bear Workshop (NYSE:BBW) from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report issued on Wednesday.

Several other research analysts also recently commented on the company. DA Davidson lifted their target price on Build-A-Bear Workshop from $40.00 to $50.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Friday, December 6th. Northland Securities lifted their price objective on Build-A-Bear Workshop from $38.00 to $55.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research note on Friday, December 6th.

Build-A-Bear Workshop Trading Up 0.5 %

NYSE:BBW opened at $40.95 on Wednesday. The stock’s 50-day moving average is $41.46 and its 200-day moving average is $37.86. Build-A-Bear Workshop has a 1-year low of $23.22 and a 1-year high of $48.23. The stock has a market cap of $550.37 million, a P/E ratio of 10.89 and a beta of 1.50.

Build-A-Bear Workshop (NYSE:BBW) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, December 5th. The specialty retailer reported $0.73 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.70 by $0.03. Build-A-Bear Workshop had a net margin of 10.58% and a return on equity of 38.35%. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $0.53 earnings per share. As a group, equities analysts forecast that Build-A-Bear Workshop will post 3.71 EPS for the current year.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, insider J. Christopher Hurt sold 12,635 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, January 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $39.53, for a total transaction of $499,461.55. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 49,386 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,952,228.58. This represents a 20.37 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Also, Director Craig Leavitt sold 2,500 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, December 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $41.36, for a total value of $103,400.00. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 78,167 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,232,987.12. This trade represents a 3.10 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last ninety days, insiders sold 175,713 shares of company stock worth $7,580,622. Company insiders own 7.90% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Build-A-Bear Workshop

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. grew its position in Build-A-Bear Workshop by 322.8% in the 3rd quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 24,935 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock valued at $857,000 after purchasing an additional 19,038 shares during the period. CWA Asset Management Group LLC bought a new stake in shares of Build-A-Bear Workshop during the fourth quarter worth about $800,000. State Street Corp raised its holdings in shares of Build-A-Bear Workshop by 34.3% in the 3rd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 372,168 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock worth $12,863,000 after acquiring an additional 94,986 shares during the last quarter. De Lisle Partners LLP lifted its position in Build-A-Bear Workshop by 25.9% in the 3rd quarter. De Lisle Partners LLP now owns 732,911 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock valued at $25,187,000 after acquiring an additional 150,619 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Franklin Resources Inc. acquired a new position in Build-A-Bear Workshop during the 3rd quarter valued at about $282,000. Institutional investors own 79.30% of the company’s stock.

Build-A-Bear Workshop Company Profile

Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc operates as a multi-channel retailer of plush animals and related products in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, and internationally. The company operates through three segments: Direct-to-Consumer, Commercial, and International Franchising. Its merchandise comprises various styles of plush products to be stuffed, pre-stuffed plush products, and sounds and scents that can be added to the stuffed animals, as well as range of clothing, shoes and accessories, and other toy and novelty items, including family sleepwear.